Portable container

ABSTRACT

Provide herein is a portable container that is lockable. The portable container has a front wall, a back wall, two side walls and a bottom defining an interior chamber with an open top. The portable container has a foldable flap having a first and second end, the first end attached to the back wall and a second end foldable over the open top and detachably secured to the front wall. Also provided herein is a locking mechanism for securing the second end of the foldable flap to the front wall.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to a portable container. More specifically, a portable container that has a lock for securing the contents of the portable container when the container is not in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] People today carry a number of items in various portable containers such as lunch bags, purses, hand bags and backpacks. These portable containers are normally left, when not in use, in public areas with a number of similar portable containers. Recently, there has been a growing trend where, unfortunately, the owners of theses containers often come back only to find a number of items missing from these types of containers. Therefore, there is a need for a portable container having a locking mechanism.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,960 is generally representative of the prior art. This example of the prior art has a lunch bag with a pair of handles. The lunch bag has a front wall and back wall separated by two side walls and has a bottom portion attached to each thereby forming a bag. The bag is made of a foam that is encapsulated by vinyl material, thereby creating an insulated bag that is also may be collapsed. The lunch bag also has a first handle that extends from the front wall and a second handle extending from the back wall. The first and second handles may be secured to one another with a hook and loop material attached to each. The bag does not provide for a locking mechanism for use with the lunch bag.

[0004] A further example of the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,091 for an insulated lunch bag. The insulated lunch bag is made of a flexible material adapted for transportation and storage. The bag also has a front wall, rear wall and a pair of side walls, all attached to a bottom wall thereby forming a bag. The bag is insulated and provides means for opening and closing the bag with a pliable adhesive tape fastener. Furthermore, the overall length of the bag is reducible to about one third when the empty bag is folded on itself. As before, the prior art does not provide for a locking mechanism for use with the bag. In addition, the prior art does not provide for a locking mechanism that can be quickly and efficiently secured to the lunch bag.

[0005] A final example of the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,388 which discloses a foldable bag and pouch. The reusable bag may be closed such that food stuffs can be transferred from one location to another. Once the bag is emptied it can be quickly and easily folded into a small, integrally formed pouch for compact storage until the time of reuse. The device can be folded inwardly of itself into a pouch provided on the bottom of the bag making the bag compact enough to be carried in a pants pocket or in a lady's handbag. As can be seen, again the device does not disclose a portable container that is lockable or may be quickly and efficiently secured.

[0006] Therefore, what is needed is a portable container having a locking mechanism. Furthermore, what is needed is a portable container that is both insulated and easy to transport. What is further needed is a portable container that provides quick and efficient entry into the portable container, yet providing an efficient means for locking the portable container as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a locking mechanism for use with a portable container, wherein the contents of the portable container are secured when the portable container is not in use. It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable container that is secure, but has a lock that is easily removable to access the contents of the portable container. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable container that can be quickly locked for efficient transport.

[0008] The present invention provides a portable container, the portable container having a front wall, back wall, two side walls and a bottom portion defining an interior chamber having an open top. The front and back walls are connected to the two side walls, and the bottom portion is connected to a bottom edge of the front wall, back wall and two side walls, thereby forming the interior chamber. The portable container has a foldable flap having a first and second end, the first end attached to the back wall. The second end of the foldable flap extends over the open top and is detachably secured to the front wall. The second end of the foldable flap and front wall each have an aperture therethrough, such that a strip of material attached to an upper edge of each side wall extends through each aperture and forms a loop outside the second end of the foldable flap. A locking mechanism is provided such that the loop is secured to an outer portion of the foldable flap therein securely locking the second end of the foldable flap to the front wall.

[0009] The above advantages, features and aspects of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable container according to the present invention in a locked position.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable container according to the present invention in an unlocked position.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable container illustrating a strip of material extending through an aperture on a front wall according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portable container illustrating the strip of material extending towards the aperture of a foldable flap according to the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable container illustrating the strip of material extending through an aperture of the foldable flap according to the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable container having a locking mechanism according to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portable container according to the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the portable container according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] As will be shown in the first embodiment of the present invention is a portable container having a locking mechanism. The portable container, as described herein, details a portable container for use as a lunch sack. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the portable container may also be used as a purse, a handbag, a leather case, a pouch, a backpack, a fanny pack, a briefcase, a computer bag, a bag for an electronic hand held device, a phone bag or any other portable container known in the art.

[0019] In the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, a portable container 10 has a front wall 20 and a back wall 30. The front wall 20 is connected on one end to a first edge 40 of a first side wall 50 and a first edge 60 of a second side wall 70 is connected to an opposite end of the front wall 20. A back wall 30 is connected on one end to a second edge 80 of the first side wall 50 and on an opposite end to a second edge 90 of the second side wall 70. The front wall 20, back wall 30 and two side walls 50, 70 each have a bottom edge 100 and are secured along the bottom edge 100 to a bottom portion (not shown) thereby forming an interior chamber 120 with an open top.

[0020] The portable container 10 has a foldable flap 110 having a first end 290 and a second end 300, the first end 290 attached to the back wall 30. The second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 can be folded and extends over the open top of the interior chamber 120 and is detachably secured to the front wall 20. An interior portion 310 of the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 has a strip of hooked material 130 and the front wall 20 has a strip of looped material 140 such that the hooked material 130 detachably engages the looped material 140 thereby detachably securing the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 to the front wall 20 as shown in FIG. 2. The second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 may be detachably secured to the front wall 20 by other means such as, but not limited to snaps, buttons, clips or a zipper as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

[0021] The portable container 10 is made of a durable nylon, such as pvc, and has a lining for additional insulation. The portable container 10 may also have a foam material or other insulation materials within the durable nylon, such as those known in the art. The material and insulation provide for a portable container 10 that can keep food items and other objects insulated from various elements for future use. Other durable materials may be used such that the portable container 10 may be easily foldable and transferable when not in use.

[0022] The present invention also has a strip of material 150, as shown in FIG. 2, extending from a top edge 160 of the first side wall 50 to a top edge 170 of the second side wall 70. The front wall 20 and the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 each have an aperture 180, 190 therethrough such that the strip of material 150 extends through the aperture 180 of the front wall 20 and can be pulled through the aperture 190 of the second end 300 thereby forming a loop 200. As the strip of material 150 extends through the aperture 180, 190 of the front wall 20 and the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, the first and second side walls 50, 70 collapse inward towards the interior chamber 120 such that the front wall 20 is moved toward the back wall 30 thus closing the open top of the interior chamber 120. As the strip of material 150 is pulled through the apertures 180, 190 of the front wall 20 and the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110, the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 becomes detachably secured to the front wall 20.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6 of the present invention, there is provided a locking mechanism 210, the locking mechanism 210 securing the loop 200 of the strip of material 150 to an outer portion of the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 such that the strip of material 150 cannot be released from the aperture 190 of the second end 300 without unlocking the locking mechanism 210. The locking mechanism 210 may be any standard padlock, such as but not limited to, a key lock, a combination lock, a twist lock, or a lock that is attached to the material of the second end 300 and the front wall 20 such that the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 and front wall 20 are secured as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

[0024] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in FIG. 7, the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110, the front wall 20 and the back wall 30 have apertures 220, 190, 180 aligned with one another. The locking mechanism 210 extends through the apertures 220, 190, 180 of the back wall 30, front wall 220, and the second end 300 of the foldable flap 110 thereby securing the back wall 30, front wall 20 and the second end 300 to each other. The locking mechanism 210 may be a padlock, such as but not limited to, a key lock, a combination lock or a twist lock, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

[0025] Another embodiment of the present invention provides for a portable container without the foldable flap 110. In this embodiment, the first wall 20 is detachably secured to the back wall 30. The front wall 20 and the back wall each have an aperture 220, 180 aligned with the other such that a locking mechanism 210 extends through the aperture 180 of the front wall 20 and the aperture 220 of the back wall 30. The locking mechanism 210 can then be locked such that the front wall 20 is secured to the back wall 30.

[0026] The preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides for an expanding pocket 230 secured to the front wall 20 of the portable container 10. The pocket 230 is connected to the front wall 20 along a first edge 240 of the pocket 230, a second edge 250 of the pocket 230 and along a bottom edge 260. The pocket 230 provides an opening along a top edge 270, the opening providing access to a cavity therein. The opening along the top edge 270 provides for storage of objects within the cavity. The present invention provides for additional pockets located on either the front or back walls 20, 30 of the portable container, or alternatively, on the foldable flap 110.

[0027] Also provided according to the present invention, as seen in FIG. 6, is an elongated hanging strap 280 for carrying the portable container 10. The hanging strap 280 is secured to an outer portion of the first side wall 50, extending and secured to, an outer portion of the second side wall 30. The hanging strap 280 may be of any type of canvas, nylon or any other material as may be used by one skilled in the art.

[0028] While only a few embodiment of the portable container of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail herein, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments may be possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable container comprising: a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom that define an interior chamber of a portable container with an open top; a foldable flap having first and second ends wherein the first end is attached to the back wall and the second end is foldable over the open top of the chamber and is detachably secured to the front wall; and a locking mechanism securing the second end of the foldable flap to the front wall.
 2. The portable container of claim 1 wherein the front wall and the foldable flap have an aperture and further comprising a strip of material secured to the first side wall and the second side wall, the strip extendable through the aperture of the front wall and the aperture of the foldable flap wherein a loop is formed, the locking mechanism securing the loop such that the foldable flap is locked to the front wall.
 3. The portable container of claim 1 further comprising a strip of loop material on the front wall and a strip of hooked material on the second end of the foldable flap, each strip aligned with the other and detachably securing the second end of the foldable flap to the front wall.
 4. The portable container of claim 1 further comprising a pocket attached to the portable container.
 5. The portable container of claim 1 further comprising a handle, the handle fixedly secured to the first side wall and the second side wall for transporting the portable container.
 6. The portable container of claim 1 in which the portable container comprises a purse.
 7. The portable container of claim 1 in which the portable container comprises a backpack.
 8. The portable container of claim 1 wherein the first and second side walls are collapsible between the front wall and back wall for easy storage and further comprising means for attaching a label to the portable container.
 9. A portable container comprising: a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom that define an interior chamber of a portable container with an open top; and a locking mechanism securing the front wall to the back wall.
 10. The portable container of claim 9 wherein the front wall and back wall have an aperture, the aperture of the front wall aligned with the aperture of the back wall such that the locking mechanism extends through the aperture of the front wall and back wall, the locking mechanism securing the front wall to the back wall.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a foldable flap, the foldable flap having a first and second end with the first end being attached to the back wall and the second end foldable over the open top of the chamber, the second end having an aperture aligned with the aperture of the back wall and front wall, the locking mechanism extending through the apertures of the back wall, front wall and second end of the foldable flap for securing the second end of the foldable flap to the back wall and front wall.
 12. The portable container of claim 9 in which the portable container comprises a purse.
 13. The portable container of claim 9 in which the portable container comprises a backpack.
 14. The portable container of claim 9 wherein the front wall is detachably secured to the back wall.
 15. The portable container of claim 11 wherein the second end of the foldable flap is detachably secured to the front wall.
 16. The portable container of claim 9 further comprising means for attaching a pocket to the portable container.
 17. The portable container of claim 9 further comprising a handle, the handle fixedly secured to the first side wall and the second side wall such that the portable container may be transported.
 18. The portable container of claim 9 wherein the first and second side walls are collapsible between the front wall and back wall for easy storage and further comprising means for attaching a label to the portable container.
 19. A portable container comprising: a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom that define an interior chamber of a portable container with an open top; a foldable flap having a first and second end, means for attaching the first end of the foldable flap to the back wall and means for folding the second end over the open top; and means for locking the second end of the foldable flap to the front wall wherein the locking means secures the second end of the foldable flap to the front wall.
 20. The portable container of claim 19 further comprising means for detachably securing the second end of the foldable flap to the front wall.
 21. The portable container of claim 19 wherein the front wall and the second end of the foldable flap have an aperture and urther comprising a strip of material secured to the first side wall and the second side wall, the strip extendable through the aperture of the front wall and the second end of the foldable flap wherein a loop is formed, the locking mechanism securing the loop such that the second end of the foldable flap is secured to the front wall.
 22. The portable container of claim 19 further comprising means for attaching a pocket to the portable container.
 23. The portable container of claim 19 further comprising means for attaching a handle to the portable container.
 24. The portable container of claim 19 wherein the first and second side walls are collapsible between the front wall and back wall for easy storage and further comprising means for attaching a label to the portable container.
 25. The portable container of claim 19 in which the portable container comprises a purse.
 26. The portable container of claim 19 in which the portable container comprises a backpack. 